Anarchist pop band Chumbawamba expressed horror after their anthem to resilience, Tubthumping (I Get Knocked Down), was used at the Ukip conference in Eastbourne, East Sussex. Band member Dunstan Bruce said his reaction to the news was one of "total and absolute outrage and horror".

He suggested that the party must have been unaware of the band's background. "This song being used by Ukip is so wrong. I am absolutely appalled that this grubby little organisation are stealing our song to use for their own ends. It's beyond the pale and if they use it again we will consider legal action."

The Burnley band – who have penned several songs protesting against war, supporting animal rights and miners' strikes – may not seem a natural fit for the right-wing party, but leader Nigel Farage arrived on stage at the conference to the band's best-known hit. The band complained to Ukip and threatened to take further action if the song was used again.

Former singer Alice Nutter, quickly took to the offensive. "If ever there was gross misuse of a band's music this is it," she said. "As a former member of Chumbawamba, I would like it to go on record that we do not support either Nigel Farrage or Ukip. In fact we would go further and say that Nigel Farrage is an arse, his party is mainly made up of bigots and its policies are racist."

The band, who were at vanguard of the 1980s anarcho-punk movement, are no strangers to upsetting politicians. In 1998, the pleasingly named Chumbawamba vocalist Danbert Nobacon poured a jug of water over John Prescott, with the words: "this is for the Liverpool dockers".

A spokesman for Ukip said if the band were unhappy with the use of the song, the party would not use it again.